‘Flow’ opens in theaters in New York and Los Angeles on November 22nd.
Arriving on limited release in theaters on November 22nd, ‘Flow’ is that rare cinematic oddity; a movie that could appear to be frustratingly experimental yet turns out to be charming, beautiful and punchy all at once.
Featuring zero dialogue and looking more like a nature documentary than a traditional feature film, it’s nevertheless full of drama and heart as its animal cast confront one challenge after another.
Related Article: Movie Review: ‘The Wild Robot’
Does ‘Flow’ find its flow?
‘Flow’ opens in theaters in New York and Los Angeles on November 22nd.
In a year where we’ve seen a handful of truly fun, and sometimes groundbreaking animated titles (Disney/Pixar scored big with ‘Inside Out 2,’ DreamWorks saw success with ‘The Wild Robot,’ a rare step outside its ‘Shrek’ and other franchise driven work, while ‘Robot Dreams’ proved to be a quirky charmer), ‘Flow’ finds itself closer to the latter movie, bringing its story to life with vibrant animation and truly expressive characters.
This is also an astonishing technical achievement, its look unique (leaning towards the watercolor stylings of ‘Wild Robot’ but pushing further) and its overall work really impressive, especially its soundscape, aided by the score from director Gints Zilbalodis and Rihards Zalupe.
Script and Direction
‘Flow’ opens in theaters in New York and Los Angeles on November 22nd.
It’s Gints Zilbalodis who is truly the driving force behind the movie –– he serves as director, co-writer, co-composer, art director, cinematographer, editor and producer, and here proves that previous work such as 2019’s ‘Away’ was no fluke.
‘Flow’ bears some of his quickly-developing hallmarks: appealing animated stylistics (in other hands, this could look like video game cutscenes stretched to feature length, but it never does), a grasp of what makes characters tick even when there isn’t the crutch of true dialogue to hang onto.
Here, he’s led his team to new heights, bringing to life a world devastated by huge, earth-swamping floods so spectacular and powerful that you half expect ‘Waterworld’s Kevin Costner to come paddling by.
This is a world, though, whose human characters have vanished, seemingly swallowed up by the environmental catastrophe, and the focus is on a group of animals left trying to survive in its wake.
Everything blends together so well and at 85 minutes, the movie never outstays its welcome. At its core is the utterly convincing gathering of creatures, who all act as they would in the wild, yet also start to show subtle signs of intelligence beyond their nature, especially the way the likes of our curious, courageous central feline and an enthusiastic, friendly Labrador work together.
And while this should compel kids just as much as adults (there are no real pratfalls or pop culture references to be found, but the characters are enough to hold anyone’s attention), there are also moments of heartbreaking (but never gruesome violence), especially in a clash between two birds.
Performances
It’s tough to even fill this category since the animals only “speak” in meows, barks or whatever sound they might normally make. But don’t be mistaken: the performances are still rich and layered all the same.
Cat
‘Flow’ opens in theaters in New York and Los Angeles on November 22nd.
Initially introduced as a loner who lives in the house it once shared with its cat-obsessed human, the main focus of the film is a big-eyed, clever feline that quickly adapts to the situation around it. Cat owners and those who love them will easily recognize some very familiar behaviors, yet as the bond between the various animals who find shelter from the rising tides on a boat begin to grow closer, the subtle interactions really work.
Labrador
‘Flow’ opens in theaters in New York and Los Angeles on November 22nd.
Once part of a pack of dogs who give chase to our feline hero, the Labrador soon establishes itself as a trustworthy companion for the adventure that is to follow. And it doesn’t hurt that its boundless energy and slightly goofy nature make it a great counterpart for the cat.
Bird
‘Flow’ opens in theaters in New York and Los Angeles on November 22nd.
The Secretary Bird here is one of the wiser characters, but goes through its own arc, including a violent encounter with one of its own species that leads it needing help.
Capybara
‘Flow’ opens in theaters in New York and Los Angeles on November 22nd.
One of the more fully humorous characters, this sleepy, snoring beast is also a true companion for the others when needed.
Lemur
‘Flow’ opens in theaters in New York and Los Angeles on November 22nd.
A troublemaking treasure hunter, this curious fellow is also guarded and quick to take offense. Yet, like the Capybara, it is also ready to help in moments of crisis.
Supporting cast
‘Flow’ opens in theaters in New York and Los Angeles on November 22nd.
Around our central group are a few other critters who bring vibrant life to this haunted, watery world. The Labrador’s pack make a couple of other meaningful appearances, while there are also the giant aquatic, seemingly prehistoric beasts that roam the rising oceans. One of these latter leviathans proves crucial in helping the cat at one point and you’d be hard-pressed not to shed a tear given the fate of one of them later on.
Final Thoughts
‘Flow’ opens in theaters in New York and Los Angeles on November 22nd.
Dreamlike and visually stunning, ‘Flow’ surely deserves to be in the conversation for Best Animated Feature this year; criminally it may well get overlooked in favor of a release from one of the big companies.
Still, this is a film to seek out in theaters so as to enjoy its meticulously created world and amusing, heartwarming characters. If there is one minor issue, it’s leaning on the Cat character being flung overboard and plunged into watery peril perhaps one too many times, but that’s all I’d have to criticize about this delightful movie.
‘Flow’ receives 9 out of 10 stars.
85
1 hr 25 minDec 6th, 2024
A solitary cat, displaced by a great flood, finds refuge on a boat with various species and must navigate the challenges of adapting to a transformed world together. Read the Plot
What’s the story of ‘Flow’?
‘Flow’ follows a courageous cat after his home is devastated by a great flood.
Teaming up with a capybara, a lemur, a bird, and a dog to navigate a boat in search of dry land, they must rely on trust, courage, and wits to survive the perils of a newly aquatic planet.
Who stars in ‘Flow’?
In a rare move, the film features no voice cast, since the characters are all animals that eschew the anthropomorphism common to the likes of Disney, DreamWorks and others.
‘Flow’ opens in theaters in New York and Los Angeles on November 22nd.